Ulman raises $1.14 million in 2012 campaign donations

Ken Ulman

Photo by Sarah Pastrana

County Executive Ken Ulman, shown last month vetoing legislation designating land preservation areas because he said it did not go far enough, announced Wednesday morning he raised $1.14 million in 2012 for his campaign.

County Executive Ken Ulman, shown last month vetoing legislation designating land preservation areas because he said it did not go far enough, announced Wednesday morning he raised $1.14 million in 2012 for his campaign. (Photo by Sarah Pastrana)

Term-limited in 2014, Ulman has been widely considered as a potential candidate for governor in 2014.

Campaign fundraising totals for 2012 were due to the State Board of Elections Wednesday, and Democratic County Council member Courtney Watson collected the most money among rumored county executive candidates.

Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler, another assumed candidate for governor, reported that he raised about $1.2 million last year, bringing his total to $5.2 million.

Del. Heather Mizeur, of Montgomery County, reported raising $248,000 in 2012 bringing her total to $380,000.

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown reported raising $1.25 million last year. He now has $1.6 million in available cash.

"I am humbled and grateful that so many people have chosen to support our vision for progress, economic growth, common sense and innovative solutions," Ulman said in a statement. "I believe Maryland is the greatest state in the country, and I will continue to work hard to help us fulfill our potential."

Ulman said he had set a goal of collecting more donations last year than the previous year and was "pleased to have achieved that goal." Ulman collected $1.06 million in contributions in 2011.

More than 90 percent of Ulman's 1,750 contributions came from within Maryland, according to a release from Friends of Ken Ulman.

Watson led potential Howard County executive candidates in fundraising for 2012, collecting more than $254,000. She now has a total of $374.000.

Other possible candidates who have been mentioned are Del. Guy Guzzone, Sen. Allan Kittleman and Council member Calvin Ball.

Watson said Wednesday she would make a decision "soon" on whether to run, but for now is focused on her County Council position.

"I am working hard to make Howard County an even better place to live and work. We should all be proud of the progress we are making," Watson said in a statement. "Our schools continue to perform at the highest level, we are providing new recreation opportunities, and have attracted our first Whole Foods to Columbia's downtown. I am committed to continuing this progress in Howard County."

Kittleman raised $170,000 in 2012, bring his total to $184,000.

Kittleman said he was "very pleased" by the 2012 numbers, which surpassed his 2011 total of $78,000.

He said it's humbling to be asked and encouraged to run, but said he won't make that decision until the end of session in April.

"I'm well prepared to go forward with that campaign if I decided to do so," Kittleman said.

Ball reported that he raised about $85,000 in 2012, bringing his total to just over $190,000.

Tthe only decision he has made regarding 2014 is that he intends on running for elected office, and that he is "open to options othan than the County Council."

"I'm definitely working to insure that I have sufficient resources to continue serving Howard County," Ball said.

Guzzone raised $61,000 in 2012, bringing his cash on hand total to $227,000, but said these numbers don't mean much about his intentions for 2014.

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, considered one of the top prospects for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2014, reported that he raised more than $1.1 million last year -- almost keeping pace with Attorney General Douglas M. Gansler.

Ken Ulman's political profile certainly has grown in recent years. The Columbia Democrat became the youngest county executive in the history of the state of Maryland when he was elected in 2006 at age 32.

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